Helping Angry Children

A common challenge for early childhood teachers is helping children deal with anger.  In the article, "'I'm bery, bery cwoss!'  Understanding Children's Anger," which serves as the basis for the latest Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name, Marie Hammer offers play as a way to understand children's angry feelings:

"Opportunities for children to play out life's experiences allow them to replay their feelings and to analyze these so that they can come to understand and make sense of what is happening to them.  Early childhood professionals, as a means of enabling children to practice and understand adult roles and relationships, have traditionally provided dramatic play through home corners, etc.  However, the usual dress-ups, dolls, and tea sets can be intimidating for children with frightening or negative emotional experiences to deal with.  A far safer option is to provide a small tray with doll house furniture and small figures that are representative of the child's immediate family.  These could include grandparents, siblings, significant family friends, etc. depending on the child's circumstances.  The play space should be in a quiet area that affords some privacy from the hustle and bustle of the main playroom area.  The child is then able to engage in re-enactment of troubling situations at arm's length, without needing to be the main player — a situation that can be too threatening or scary.  The child's need for some privacy must also be protected, as well as protecting other children in the group from observing situations that they may find strange or disturbing."

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